Couple's death still believed to be murder-suicide

Leslie Waingrow, 32 and Todd Waingrow, 39. Photo is from a memorial posted on Facebook.Enlarge

Autopsies show a gunshot wound to the head was the cause of death for a man and his estranged wife, a case that authorities continue to investigate as a murder-suicide.

Dr. Maneesha Pandey, a Lucas County deputy coroner, said Monday the official causes of death for Leslie Waingrow, 32, and her estranged husband, Todd Waingrow, 39, were pending toxicology tests that usually take several weeks to complete.

The preliminary autopsy results are consistent with the police statement that the man apparently shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, the deputy coroner said. The couple were pronounced dead at a single-family house in the 3900 block of Burnham Avenue about 4:40 p.m. Saturday.

The couple had been quarreling Friday night, police said. There was no suicide note left, Lucas County Coroner Dr. James Patrick said.

Neighbors said the Waingrows had moved into the house on Burnham Avenue about four months ago and that they kept to themselves. One neighbor said she saw Mrs. Waingrow leave Friday with her three children and return without them.

On Sunday, the Waingrows' three cars, including a new Kia crossover, remained in the driveway.

There was also a National Rifle Association sticker on the front door. In the front window was a sign that said, "Closed circuit television and audio monitoring on these premises."

In the front garden, there was a "Home Sweet Home" sign. The couple married Feb. 14, 2005, according to marriage records.

Police responding to a call arrived about 4 p.m. at the house to check on Mrs. Waingrow. Police said a family member told them she had last spoken with Ms. Waingrow the night before but had not been able to contact her or her estranged husband since that time.

Authorities said they found an unlocked window. Once officers opened the window, they said they saw a woman with a gunshot wound to the head.

Officers then forced the rear door to enter the residenceand found the woman's body on the bed in the bedroom, with the man's body slumped over on the floor next to the bed.

Mrs. Waingrow leaves behind three children, including the couple's son, who is 8, and two children from a previous relationship, according to authorities.

Staff writer Tony Cook contributed to this report.

Contact Mike Sigov at: sigov@theblade.com or 419-724-6089.

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